As a nursery manager in Congleton, you know that paediatric first aid training is not optional. Ofsted requires it, the Early Years Foundation Stage framework mandates it, and the safety of the children in your care depends on it. But when you start looking at the options, it can feel confusing. There are different course lengths, different qualification levels, and different combinations. Which one do your staff actually need?
This guide is written specifically for nursery managers and nursery owners. It breaks down the paediatric first aid courses available, explains who needs which one, and helps you build a training plan that keeps your setting compliant and your children safe.
We are PCT Services, and we deliver Qualsafe Awards accredited paediatric first aid training from our training centre at First Floor, 2 Queen Street in Northwich, about a 20 minute drive from Congleton. We also deliver on-site training at nurseries across the area.
The EYFS requirements
The Early Years Foundation Stage framework is clear on two points. First, at least one person trained in paediatric first aid must be on the premises at all times when children are present. Second, at least one person trained in paediatric first aid must accompany children on outings. These are minimum requirements, and Ofsted inspectors will check that they are met.
The word to focus on is trained. This means holding a current, valid paediatric first aid certificate from an accredited provider. A lapsed certificate does not count. A general first aid at work certificate does not count either, because it covers adult emergencies and does not include the child-specific techniques that are essential in a nursery setting.
Your three options
Option 1: Paediatric First Aid (2 Day) — the full Level 3 qualification
This is the gold standard. It is a Level 3 Award in Paediatric First Aid, accredited by Qualsafe Awards, and it meets all EYFS requirements for paediatric first aiders. The course combines one day of e-learning with one day of practical training.
It covers everything your staff need to know: infant and child CPR, choking management for babies and children, burns and scalds, febrile convulsions, allergic reactions and anaphylaxis, meningitis recognition, head injuries, fractures, bleeding, asthma, seizures, and much more. The practical day focuses on hands-on skills using infant and child manikins, so your staff leave feeling confident rather than just informed.
It costs £95 plus VAT per person, the certificate is valid for three years, and groups can be up to 12.
This is the course your senior practitioners, room leaders, and designated paediatric first aiders should complete. It provides the deepest level of knowledge and the broadest range of skills.
Paediatric First Aid (2 Day) *OFSTED & EYFS*
This Qualsafe Level 3 Award in Paediatric First Aid (RQF) is a regulated and nationally recognised qualification which is OFSTED and EYFS compliant. Your trainer is a Registered Nurse with many years of clinical experience within Emergency Departments who trains Advanced Paediatric Life Support to medical and nursing staff in acute hospital environments.
Northwich Training Centre, Northwich
3 spots left · 4 dates available
Option 2: Emergency Paediatric First Aid (1 Day) — core emergencies in one day
This covers the most critical, life-threatening emergencies in a single day. It is Qualsafe Awards accredited and meets the requirements for staff who need a paediatric first aid qualification but do not need the comprehensive depth of the two day course.
It focuses on the emergencies where speed and confidence matter most: CPR, choking, severe bleeding, burns, and unresponsiveness. It is ideal for staff who are not your designated first aiders but who you want to have core paediatric skills, especially in a nursery where emergencies can happen in any room at any time.
It costs £75 plus VAT per person, and the certificate is valid for three years.
Emergency Paediatric First Aid
The Qualsafe Level 3 Award in Emergency Paediatric First Aid (RQF) is a regulated and nationally recognised qualification. Your trainer is a Registered Nurse with many years of clinical experience within Emergency Departments who trains Advanced Paediatric Life Support to medical and nursing staff in acute hospital environments.
Option 3: Combined EFAW and Paediatric First Aid — dual qualification
This is our combined course that gives your staff both an Emergency First Aid at Work qualification and a paediatric first aid qualification in a single training package. Starting from £95 plus VAT, it is designed for settings where staff need to be competent in both adult and child first aid.
For nurseries, this is particularly useful for staff who also supervise parents, volunteers, or visitors on the premises. It means they can respond to an emergency involving anyone, not just the children.
Combined EFAW & Paediatric First Aid
This combined Qualsafe Level 3 Award in Emergency First Aid at Work (RQF) and Emergency Paediatric First Aid (RQF) is a regulated and nationally recognised qualification and is HSE, OFSTED and EYFS compliant. Your trainer is a Registered Nurse with years of experience in Emergency Departments who trains Advanced Life and Advanced Paediatric Support to medical and nursing staff in acute hospital environments.
Building your training plan
Here is the approach that works best for Congleton nurseries.
Your designated paediatric first aiders should hold the full two day Paediatric First Aid qualification. Ofsted expects at least one person with this level of training to be present at all times, so you need enough qualified staff to cover holidays, sickness, and shift patterns. For most nurseries, that means a minimum of two, and ideally one per room or age group.
Your remaining staff benefit from the Emergency Paediatric First Aid course. This ensures that every adult in the building has core life-saving skills for children, even if they are not the designated first aider. When a child chokes in the baby room and the designated first aider is in the pre-school room, the nearest adult needs to act immediately. Training makes that possible.
New starters should be booked onto a course within their first few weeks. Waiting until it is convenient often means waiting until an Ofsted inspector asks to see the certificate, and by then it is too late.
Certificate management
Three year validity sounds generous, but it catches nursery managers out regularly. If you trained all your staff at the same time, they all expire at the same time, and suddenly your whole team is out of date.
The solution is to stagger your training. Book some staff this year and some next year, so that you always have people with current certificates. Keep a simple spreadsheet or wall chart that shows each staff member's certificate number, qualification, and expiry date. Check it every quarter and book renewals before they lapse.
On-site training for your nursery
For Congleton nurseries with enough staff to fill a group, on-site training is often the best option. We come to your setting, use your hall or a large room, and train your team while the children are not present. This is usually arranged for an inset day, a staff training day, or a weekend.
On-site training has the additional benefit of being specific to your environment. We can discuss your nursery's layout, where your first aid kit is, what your emergency procedures are, and how your team should communicate during an incident. That specificity makes the training more relevant and more likely to translate into effective action.
Or attend at our Northwich centre
For individual staff members, our scheduled courses at First Floor, 2 Queen Street in Northwich run throughout the year. Check the live dates on our Paediatric First Aid page, our Emergency Paediatric First Aid page, or our Combined EFAW and Paediatric page.
The centre is about a 20 minute drive from Congleton and provides a dedicated, professional environment for training.
Book your training
If you manage a nursery in Congleton and you want to make sure your paediatric first aid training is sorted, give us a call on 07958 915146 and we will help you work out exactly which courses your team needs. Or check the upcoming dates on our course pages and book directly. The children in your care deserve a team that is trained, confident, and ready for anything.
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